Mercedes-Benz enters the premium travel business in China

It seems that a lot of observers are surprised to hear that Mercedes-Benz has launched the “Mercedes-Benz Travel” brand thanks to an exclusive partnership with HH Travel, the renowned premium brand of China’s biggest online travel operator Ctrip International and a dedicated partner in the Greater China region.

The move is a significant one; believe it or not, it’s the first time an automaker enters the international market offering premium travel solutions. It has cleverly positioned itself as a provider of specially-engineered travel design, luxury travel packages as well as unique Mercedes-Benz events.

And what’s more, you do not have to be the owner of a Mercedes-Benz; the offer is open to anyone in China who is interested in travelling.

Mercedes-Benz Travel will offer its sophisticated and globe-trotting customer carefully selected locations with a well-balanced itinerary featuring regional, theme-based and event trips with a special focus on Europe as the main destination. Unusual places and also fresh approaches to classic destinations will also be on offer. It also promises to create special itineraries such as ladies-only trips, summer camps, and education trips, as well as German engineering trips for car lovers, such as visits to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Customers will also encounter people and have experiences that are out of reach for other travellers.

Expected from the end of February, Chinese customers will be able to book tours on a dedicated Mercedes-Benz Travel Website as well as via a call centre. The first departures of tours are scheduled to take place in mid-year. If the initiative proves to be successful, the company will expand its premium class travel service gradually into other countries.

So it looks as if Mercedes-Benz will just have to convince affluent Chinese travellers that good car-makers can also be good travel service providers!